Elephant parade before MJ memorial

Michael Jackson's memorial service will take place at the 19,000-seater Staples Centre on Tuesday, just after the annual Parade of the Elephants by a circus troupe.

Michael Jackson's memorial service will take place at the 19,000-seater Staples Centre on Tuesday, just after the annual Parade of the Elephants by a circus troupe.

MJ's love for animals was well known. He also kept a small private zoo at his Neverland ranch in California.

But, it is unclear whether his family members have timed his memorial so that it follows the parade by the Barnum and Bailey Circus.

Booked by circus

Adieu, King of Pop: Michael Jackson's memorial service will be held at the Staples Centre in Los Angelesu00a0 on Tuesday. He had last rehearsed at the place, a week before his death.

The circus had long been booked to perform at the centre from July 8-12. A day before, circus staff will walk performing elephants, lions and tigers from central Los Angeles to the centre.

However, Jackson's former pet chimp Bubbles will not attend the service. Jackson gave him up, after he became too big and violent.

The Staples Center is owned by AEG, the company that was organising MJ's comeback concerts at the O2 in London. It is here that Jackson rehearsed last before his death.

The bronze and gold-plated casket, called a Promethean, will feature a blue velvet interior and a hand-polished mirror finish. It is the same type of coffin which soul singer James Brown was buried in.

MJ's ex-wife wants her kids back

MJ's ex-wife, Debbie Rowe's hopes of gaining custody of his two eldest children have been dealt with a blow.

It has been reported that all the three children Prince Michael I (12), Paris (11) and Prince Michael II (7) want to live with their grandparents Joe and Katherine Jackson.

Rowe (50) is preparing to battle Katherine (79) for custody. The former nurse gave away her parental rights to Prince and Paris in exchange for a u00a34.2 million (Rs 33 crore approximately) pay-off 10 years ago.
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She believes that she is more equipped to care for them than Katherine.